History of the Sphynx Cat
History of the Sphynx Breed
There are many legends associated with the Sphynx breed, but the most enduring one is that which relates to its origin in Ancient Egypt. Truly, their statuesque, wide-eared, almond-eyed, hairless appearance does bring to mind feline depictions of Egyptian gods, especially Bastet, patron deity of home, fertility, and protection. The sleek and muscular body, combined with wrinkled skin, reminds one of antique artifacts and sculptures, which seem to prove for many that such cats were companions of pharaohs or sacred animals of the temples. In other lore circles, it is even told that such cats possess special powers: protectors of secrets, guardians of the pharaohs’ wealth, or guiding souls in the afterlife. The wildest enthusiasts go as far as to claim that Sphynx cats are the reincarnations of holy cats that in times past used either to be objects of worship or companions for priests and shamans in temples. In such contexts, the latter were invested with spiritual meaning—either protectors of the sacred or intermediaries between the material and spiritual levels. Certainly, the mystique aura of the Sphynx breed nurtures such a concept—the lineal descendant of some sort of feline spiritual line.
Another popular item of lore concerning this breed of cats concerns its supposed mystic or medicinal powers. Their body temperature, a little warmer than that of an average cat, makes them feel warm while cuddling and is said to have a therapeutic effect. Stories tell that cuddling with a Sphynx cat can alleviate pain, decrease stress, or even help one recover from a disease faster. Whether it’s warmth from the cat or the affinity brought on by their love, the Sphynx’s alleged healing abilities have become a treasured aspect of its mythology. While this legend has no scientific basis, owners of Sphynx cats can certainly attest to the emotional comfort and closeness these cats bring into their lives, which makes the myth seem very real to them.
The next interesting theory is that Sphynx cats are visitors from another world or planet.
Given how strikingly unusual the Sphynx breed is, there are those who have forwarded the suggestion that such cats are of “alien” origins. Of course, large almond-shaped eyes, wide ears, and generally angular faces tend to lend to that sort of feeling. This has led to a playful and imaginative lore suggesting that Sphynx cats are extraterrestrial beings sent to Earth as companions or observers.
The “alien cat” theory is a frequent subject in online communities, where some jokingly claim that their Sphynx cat’s curious behavior and intense gaze are signs of intelligence beyond that of an ordinary cat. This is the kind of lore that has sprung forth and has been further perpetuated through memes and photos depicting Sphynx cats as aliens visiting Earth. Still fully within the realm of fantasy, it is little wonder that this surreal dream has been able to hold hostage the imaginations of cat lovers worldwide, for unlike any of their furry brethren, this breed has a truly captivating presence.
The Real Origin: Canada in the 1960s
The sad reality of the matter is that real history is much more recent and starts not in Ancient Egypt but in Ontario, Canada, during the 1960s. In 1966, a domestic cat, Elizabeth, produced a bald kitten called Prune. He was the result of a natural mutation, a genetic sport never before seen in the domestic cat. Immediately, breeders recognized the desirability of such a remarkable trait and an opportunity to develop a hairless breed of cat.
This interested breeders so much that he was bred to a number of cats, including his mother, in order to repeat and then fix the mutation. These early breeding attempts were not easy, however, as besides other problems regarding the health and viability of the kittens, hairlessness also brought some health complications along with it. Breeders continued to work around this, though, realizing the hairless gene was a recessive trait: two carriers of it would pass the trait on.
The Evolution of the Breed
The 1970s were a foundational decade for the Sphynx breed. At that time, breeders in Canada were imperative; one of the most renowned families was the Milt and Ethel Pearson family. Prune’s descendants were then bred with the Devon Rex—a small-sized, curly-coated, rather rare breed—to hold the hairlessness while maintaining the genetics. The Pearsons combined these breeds in an attempt to improve the breed in both appeal, health, and temperament.
Another milestone was marked in 1978 when breeder Shirley Smith made a litter of hairless kittens a reality in Minnesota. Realizing the genetic similarity to Prune’s line, she integrated these cats into existing breeding programs. This crossbreeding between Prune’s descendants and the newly found hairless cats in the United States significantly expanded the gene pool, reducing the risks associated with inbreeding and enhancing the breed’s viability.
In the 1980s, European breeders also began to work with the breed. Breeder Dr. Hugo Hernandez from Holland initiated a program to further develop the Sphynx breed along with Shirley Smith. Hernandez worked at having a strong gene pool, not diluting the hairlessness gene by crossing the Sphynx hairless cats with Devon Rex in order to keep the gene pool strong. These efforts across Europe were important in bringing this breed into being, called internationally the Sphynx.
With time and growing interest, the breed gained popularity, and finally, in 1979, TICA gave the breed the status of Sphynx. The official breed standards and documented lineage gave further credibility to this breed as a globally recognized breed.
First Sphynx Cats Arrived in the UK and Subsequently Dispersed Worldwide
Finally, in the 1990s, the breed reached the UK, thanks in part to breeders like Jan Plumb, who imported cats from Canada. Immediately following the breed gaining a following in North America, breeders began exporting the breed to the UK and Europe. The unusual appearance and friendly, dog-like character beckoned the immediate attention of the cat fancy in its quest for something new and very affectionate.
The spread of the breed continued globally, with European catteries, especially those in Russia and France, contributing to the breed’s international expansion. Russian breeders, in particular, played a significant role, as the breed found a strong following in Russia due to its distinct appearance and charming nature.
